Los Angeles History Lover's Guide To LA County Museum of Art
At the center of Los Angeles's Miracle Mile, this historical museum includes the impressive grounds of LACMA, The Page Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits active archeological digs. This one locale is packed with history dating back to the time when Wilshire Boulevard was the stomping ground of giant creatures like the ground sloth that first attracted men to the Valley of the Smokes. Here are several things that can be enjoyed when visiting the Miracle Mile District of historical landmarks.
LA County Museum Of Art
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 857-6000
www.lacma.org
As part of Museum Row, this enormous landmark building is home to over one hundred thousand works of art. The museum exhibits celebrated artworks as well as notable film and concert festivals year round. First established in 1961, this museum arose from the works originally part of the 1910 founding of Exposition Park and the University of Southern California. The first patrons of the museum donated two million dollars to make the initial move to this location from the Science and History Museum Downtown. Originally built by architect Willaim Pereira at a cost of over 11 million dollars, this monument to Los Angeles originally was surrounded by pools and fountains. After the pools filled with tar seeping from the historical pits, they were covered over and made into sculpture gardens.
General Admission & Membership
For a single day pass, you are welcome to view all the LACMA galleries
Adults: $15. - Children under 17 FREE - Senior and Students $10. with ID
Become a contributing member of the LACMA, join here. They offer several ways to be a part of Los angeles History by contributing to the work accomplished by LACMA.
At The Museum
LACMA is currently showing several impressive installations from artists including Noah Purlfoy, James Turrell, Pierre Huyghe and Larry Sultan. The exhibits on African textiles and Contemporary Islamic Art of the Middle East are truly breathtaking. Several tours of the museum are available for art lovers. LACMA docents provide a number of different topics throughout the day. Here are some to consider on your next visit.
Art Classes
Drawing and painting for both adults and children are available. Artists and masters of medium and technique provide informative lessons for professionals as well as amateur art lovers. Every student will find value in the classes available at LACMA. Here are a few classes that are currently available.
Films
The LACMA film program partners with the New York Times and Film Independent to present a series of screen classics, documentaries and new film releases for its members and friends of the LACMA Film Department. The events include conversations with the filmmakers, screenings, talks and seminars. A fascinating stroll through the history of film is also available when you come to the Tuesday night classics shown in 35mm on the big screen. Learn more here.
Music
In partnership with ASCAP and the Chamber Music of America Award for Adventurous Programming, LACMA Department of Music holds over 100 public concerts. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, LACMA will recreate the first concerts from its beginning in 1965. The Sundays LIVE has a busy schedule over the summer, check it out here.
The Page Museum
Immediately adjacent to LACMA is the Page Museum of the La Brea Tar Pits, where the bones of sabertooth cats and dire wolves can be found. It has a separate admission price, but it's well worth it to learn how mega fauna once dominated the area. Learn more here.
